U.S. nominates Scaparrotti as top NATO commander

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Barack Obama nominated U.S. Army General Curtis Scaparrotti on Friday to become NATO's top military commander, the Pentagon said, a key role as NATO builds up its posture in eastern Europe in a bid to deter Russia.

Scaparrotti, currently commander of U.S. forces in South Korea, would succeed U.S. Air Force General Philip Breedlove as NATO's Supreme Allied Commander Europe. His appointment requires U.S. Senate confirmation.

Breedlove has been an outspoken critic of Russian military moves during his tenure.

NATO said in a statement on Friday that it had approved Scaparrotti's nomination.